‘No!’ I slam my fist on the table, causing our plates to jump. ‘For fuck’s sake. It’s assault. And a police officer, too!’A police officer.‘Wait. Was it him?’
Jack opens his sandwich and begins picking the lettuce out of it. ‘Was what him?’
‘Stan said some bloke had been asking after me. He said he thought it might have been a police officer.’
Jack’s head shoots up. ‘What?’
‘And the photos on my car.’
‘What photos on your car?’
With everything that’s been going on, I haven’t even had the chance to tell Jack all about it. But as I explain I notice his face pales. ‘What is it, Jack?’
‘I found a photograph of you. In our bedroom.’ His gaze goes to my coat hanging over the back of my chair. ‘You’re wearing that coat in it. I asked Finn about it. He said it was mine. Accused me of taking it because I fancied you.’ He shakes his head in disbelief. ‘Shit. What a bastard.’
He must have scaled the gate to get to my car. He’s certainly strong enough.
I reach over and squeeze his hand. ‘I’m so sorry.’ ‘Back off’ makes sense now. Not someone warning me off the story, but a jealous lover warning me off their boyfriend. ‘Have you moved out?’
‘Finn left yesterday. He’s staying with …’ he rolls his eyes ‘… Harriet Hill of all people. Oh, yes, it seems the two of them have struck up a friendship.’
‘Harriet Hill? I – I just can’t –’ We burst out laughing at the absurdity of it. ‘Hey,’ I say, a thought striking me. ‘You don’t think he’s “the source”, do you? We wondered how she was getting all her stories.’
His eyes widen. ‘Of course! What a wanker! He’d have knowledge of the case through his job. And then he fed the information back to her.’
‘So much for hisI don’t give tip-offs because it’s unprofessionalcrap.’ I mimic Finn’s voice. ‘He wanted to make me look bad, no doubt, by giving her all the good stuff.’
He pats my hand, which still rests on top of his. ‘I’m sorry. And I love you, you know. Just,’ he winks, ‘not like that.’
A lump forms in my throat. ‘I can’t believe you’re leaving. You’re my only friend in Bristol.’
‘You have Heather now.’
That’s true. All this time I’d wanted to believe my old friend was innocent and now I know she is we can move on, resume our friendship as women.
‘And Rory. He’s a good bloke.’
‘I know,’ I say, taking my hand from his and picking up my sandwich. ‘I’m lucky to have him.’
‘You’re lucky to have each other.’ He pauses as he takes a bite of his sandwich. ‘You know what really pissesme off?’ he says, his mouth still full. ‘I could have had that fucker Finn but I didn’t hit him back, even when he punched me in the face and in the ribs.’
‘That’s because you’re a million times the person he is,’ I say. ‘I wish you’d told me.’
His eyes are downcast, as he says softly, ‘I was ashamed.’
‘Oh, Jack. He should be the one who’s ashamed.’ Then: ‘Can I come with you?’ I say, the idea popping into my head. ‘To Brighton? Do you think they have a job going for another reporter?’
Jack stares at me. ‘I can find out, if that’s what you really want.’
I fidget in my seat. Is that what I want? A new place to live? A new start? But I’d be running away. Again. I’ve moved around so much there’s never been enough time to put down roots. But now I have Heather and Margot and Flora, as well as Rory. I don’t need to be afraid that I’ll lose the people I love, or that I don’t deserve to be happy. Margot’s strength all these years has inspired me. She didn’t run away when Flora disappeared or when everyone thought Heather had killed the Wilsons.
‘Don’t get me wrong,’ Jack says, wiping some chutney off his chin with the paper napkin, ‘I’d love to work with you in Brighton. But your job. Ted. Rory. You’re living virtually rent-free here, and Brighton is expensive.’
‘Actually,’ I say, taking his hand in mine, ‘I’ll miss you tons but I want to stay in Bristol. Make things work with Rory.’
He places his hand on top of mine. ‘You’re a big softie at heart, aren’t you?’
‘Don’t underestimate me. You always said I was as hard as nails, remember?’
